XLVIII things to watch throughout the 2013 NFL season

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Each year, it feels like the run-up to the new NFL season grows longer and busier. "Offseason" is really a misnomer -- there is no "off" button when there are months of headline-making player acquisitions, obsessively-covered injuries and recoveries, detailed reviews of snap counts and, this year, a tragic intersection with the law.

Finally, in the coming week, the games will seize attention again as the countdown to Super Bowl XLVIII begins. In honor of a Super Bowl that has managed to generate controversy long before we even know who will play in it -- and to delay for a few more column inches the start of the Doppler-radar watch for snow -- here are 48 things that should keep our attention this year:

III. Brady and Amendola: And Danny Amendola steps into Welker's old spot with the New England Patriots. Everybody has always considered Amendola a Welker clone -- now we'll find out how much he actually resembles Brady's former favorite receiver. How quickly can their timing develop?

IV. The Clowney Crusade: You remember the "(Play Really Badly) for Luck" fan campaigns of two years ago? If it becomes clear that defensive superstar Jadeveon Clowney will leave South Carolina after this college football season, you had better believe suffering fans of struggling teams will be crossing their fingers for a race to the bottom of the standings -- so that their team can be at the top of next May's draft.

V. Eventually, the New York Jets will pick a quarterback, and he will take the snaps. Think that'll be the end of one of the oddest -- and perhaps most mismanaged -- quarterback competitions in memory? This figures to be a season-long drama, one with overarching implications for the future of coach Rex Ryan and the entire franchise.

VI. The first time Adrian Peterson lowers his head to plow a defender backwards as he crosses the goal line to score a game-winning touchdown for the Minnesota Vikings, does he get a flag? The crown-of-helmet rule adopted in the offseason might produce as many arguments as it does penalties.

IX. Defensive coordinators went to school on the read option this offseason, and Robert Griffin III's injuries might serve as a cautionary tale. But colleges continue to churn out the kinds of athletic quarterbacks who can run it. This season might give an indication as to whether this offense is sustainable or, as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin thinks, merely "the flavor of the day."

X. Everybody was spoiled by the instant impact of quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and RGIII as rookies last season. Sophomore slumps aren't uncommon, but these three might be good enough to avoid going through one.

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XI. Lockouts. Hallelujah! No worrying more about labor lawyers than linebackers.

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XIII. Video from the locker rooms: The NFL is experimenting with cameras in locker rooms to give in-stadium fans a sense of what goes on inside the inner sanctum. Hint: They're likely to see as many snoozers as stemwinders.

XIV.Hip and thigh pads: The NFL insists pads will limit the hip and thigh contusions that bedevil players. The players suspect the equipment will slow them down. Are either -- or both -- right?

XV. After Dustin Keller's knee was blown out by a direct hit -- and after defensive players said they now hit low to minimize the risk they will incur a fine for hitting too high -- the league is likely to closely monitor to see if the knee becomes a target point, and to see if a rule that already generates so much anger and confusion from defensive players has to be refined further.

XVI.Whither Tim Tebow? If the Patriots release the quarterback, does he get picked up? If the Patriots keep him, do they use him? Is this the end of the NFL line for one of the game's most compelling -- and vexing -- players?

XVII. Falsely accused of rape and wrongly imprisoned, Brian Banks finally got a chance to try to make it in the NFL at age 28. Though it doesn't look like that will happen with the Atlanta Falcons, whether he tries again elsewhere or ultimately resumes his non-football life, Banks is a staggering example of resilience.

XXII.Denver Broncos at New York Giants, Sept. 15: Manning Bowl III. Unless Eli and Peyton meet in the Super Bowl, this could be the last time they play against each other, because of the way the schedule rotates. Peyton is 2-0 against Eli.

XXIII.San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, Sept. 15: Remember when the NFC West stunk? This one could be a preview of the NFC Championship Game. It definitely will be a showcase for two of football's best defenses and scintillating quarterbacks.

XXVI.Green Bay Packers at New York Giants, Nov. 17: Think these two teams like being overlooked in the NFC sweepstakes? This game could go a long way toward determining which of these squads will be in prime playoff contention.

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XXXIV. Dr. James Andrews. The famous surgeon's management of RGIII's knee injury and the quarterback's rapid return have made Dr. Andrews nearly as recognizable as Dr. Phil.

XXXV. We miss Gronk. Please, come back, Gronk.

XXXVI. But in the meantime, rookie free-agent tight end Zach Sudfeld has given the Patriots a nice surprise and a name -- that's Stud-feld to you -- we can work with.

XXXVII. The Rams aren't even trying to pretend that they are keeping rookie receiver/returner/whatever-else-he-wants-to-do Tavon Austin under wraps. Please, free Tavon, Jeff Fisher.

XXXVIII. When it comes to Chip Kelly, there probably hasn't been a more heralded coaching arrival in the NFL since Jimmy Johnson. No pressure, Chip; you're merely expected to usher in an offensive revolution while winning in Philadelphia, one of the league's pressure cookers.

XXXIX. We had never seen anything quite like Cam Newton when he got to the NFL -- fast enough to outrun defenders, big enough to absorb their hits -- but now he is essentially ignored in the conversations about the game's young quarterbacks. He is too talented to be lost, and it will be fascinating to see how new Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula deploys him.

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XL. The Saints' defense has taken some big injury blows during their rebuilding process, but they do have a rookie safety, Kenny Vaccaro, who could be the next great don't-take-your-eyes-off-him playmaker.

XLI. Maybe you've forgotten how electric Reggie Bush can be when he catches the ball out of the backfield. The Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford are going to give you a chance to remember in the latest stop in Bush's peripatetic career.

XLII. It's superfluous to mention Adrian Peterson, right? You were going to watch him without me reminding you, weren't you?

XLIII. Ziggy Ansah could be this year's Jason Pierre-Paul, a raw pass-rushing talent who could energize the Lions' defense. Boy, does that team need it.

XLIV. The Miami Dolphins spent a mind-boggling amount of money in free agency, but all the focus will be on receiver Mike Wallace, and the chemistry he develops with Ryan Tannehill. This team needs some pop -- on offense and in terms of fan interest -- and Wallace could be the answer.

XLVI. Mark Davis, the Oakland Raiders owner, might be the most unpredictable boss in the league right now. His team is in the middle of a massive rebuilding effort, but it's almost impossible to divine if Davis will allow Reggie McKenzie to continue to manage it after what many are expecting to be another terrible season.